U.S. patent application number 12/594781 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for method for processing a side edge of a panel, and a device for carrying out the method.
This patent application is currently assigned to FLOORING TECHNOLOGIES LTD.. Invention is credited to Roger Braun, Wolfgang Gollatz.
Application Number | 20100058590 12/594781 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40528147 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100058590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braun; Roger ; et
al. |
March 11, 2010 |
METHOD FOR PROCESSING A SIDE EDGE OF A PANEL, AND A DEVICE FOR
CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge of
a panel (2), in particular a floor panel, with a top (18) and a
bottom (19), which on at least two side edges lying opposite one
another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two
identically embodied panels (2) can be joined and locked to one
another in the horizontal and vertical direction by an essentially
vertical joining movement, wherein the locking in the vertical
direction can be produced by at least one tongue element formed in
one piece from the core and moveable in the horizontal direction,
which tongue element during the joining movement snaps in behind a
locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal direction and
the tongue element is exposed by means of at least one essentially
vertical slot with respect to the core, and at least one of the
slots is not embodied in a continuous manner over the entire length
of the side edge, wherein the at least one non-continuous slot is
produced by at least one guided tool (41) such that the panel (2)
is conveyed in a transport direction (x) under the tool (41), the
tool (41) dips into the core of the panel (2) by means of a swivel
motion and is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the
panel (2) has been completely conveyed past under the tool
(41).
Inventors: |
Braun; Roger; (Willisau,
CH) ; Gollatz; Wolfgang; (Wittstock, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
FLOORING TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Pieta MSD
MT
|
Family ID: |
40528147 |
Appl. No.: |
12/594781 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 19, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP08/10959 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/897.32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/041 20130101;
Y10T 29/49996 20150115; B27F 5/02 20130101; E04F 2201/0138
20130101; Y10T 29/49629 20150115; E04F 15/04 20130101; E04F 15/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/897.32 |
International
Class: |
B21D 47/00 20060101
B21D047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 062 430.3 |
Claims
1. A method for processing a side edge of a panel with a core,
which on at least two side edges lying opposite has profiles
corresponding to one another such that two identically embodied
panels can be joined and locked to one another in the horizontal
and vertical direction by an essentially vertical joining movement,
wherein the locking in the vertical direction can be produced by at
least one tongue element formed in one piece from the core and
moveable in the horizontal direction, the tongue element during the
joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge extending
essentially in the horizontal direction and the tongue element is
exposed by at least one essentially vertical slot with respect to
the core, and at least one of the slots is not embodied in a
continuous manner over the entire length of the side edge, wherein
the at least one non-continuous slot is produced by at least one
tool such that the panel is conveyed in a transport direction under
the tool, the tool dips into the core of the panel by a swivel
motion and is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the
panel has been completely conveyed past under the tool.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tool is guided on a
circular track.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising machining is
carried out in a chip removing manner.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising to produce
several non-continuous slots a plurality of tools spaced apart from
one another is provided in the transport direction, wherein the
tools dip into the core of the panel simultaneously.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising additionally
at least one essentially horizontal slot is provided to expose the
tongue element.
6.-12. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge
of a panel, in particular a floor panel, with a top and a bottom,
which on at least two side edges lying opposite one another has
profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically
embodied panels can be joined and locked to one another in the
horizontal and vertical direction by an essentially vertical
joining movement, wherein the locking in the vertical direction can
be produced by at least one tongue element formed in one piece from
the core and moveable in the horizontal direction, which tongue
element during the joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge
extending essentially in the horizontal direction and the tongue
element is exposed by means of at least one essentially vertical
slot with respect to the core, and at least one of the slots is not
embodied in a continuous manner over the entire length of the side
edge.
[0002] A panel of this type is described in German patent
application 10 2007 041 024.9, the disclosure of which is
referenced herewith in its entirety.
[0003] Panels in which the locking is carried out via a plastic
insert, are known, e.g., from EP 1 650 375 A1. The type of locking
realized with this type of panels is preferably provided on the
transverse side of floor panels. However, it can also be provided
on the longitudinal side or on the longitudinal side as well as on
the transverse side. The tongue element is composed of plastic and
is inserted in a groove running horizontally on one of the side
edges and beveled on the top. Similar to a door latch, by means of
the bevel the tongue element is pressed inwards into the groove by
the panel to be newly set, when the underside of this panel meets
the bevel and is further lowered. When the panel to be newly laid
has been lowered completely to the subfloor, the tongue element
snaps into a groove inserted horizontally in the opposite side edge
and locks the two panels in the vertical direction. Special
injection molds are necessary for the production of this tongue
element, so that the production is relatively expensive.
Furthermore, a high quality plastic must be used in order to
provide adequate strength values, which makes the tongue element
even more expensive. If plastics are used with strength values that
are too low, this leads to relatively large dimensions of the
tongue elements, since this is the only way to ensure that
corresponding forces can be generated or transmitted.
[0004] Additional expenses result because the locking element is
embodied as a separate component. The production of the locking
element is carried out spatially separately from the panels for
technological reasons, so that an integration into the continuous
production process, in particular for floor panels, is likely to be
impossible. Through the different materials, wood material on the
one hand and plastic on the other hand, the adjustment of
production tolerances from two separate production processes is
complex and cost-intensive. Since the locking in the vertical
direction would be ineffective if the locking element were missing,
in addition, this must be secured from falling out of the groove
inserted in the side edge in the further production process and
during transport. This securing is also complex. Alternatively
thereto, the locking element could be made available to the
consumer separately.
[0005] The floor panels under consideration are being laid with
increasing frequency by do-it-yourselfers, so that, in principle,
it is possible, due to a lack of experience, for the required
number of locking elements to be initially miscalculated and not
obtained in sufficient quantity in order to be able to lay a room
completely. Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the
do-it-yourselfer will make a mistake upon placing inserting the
tongue element, which means that precise locking is not possible
and the bond separates over time, which is then wrongly attributed
by the consumer to the quality supplied by the manufacturer.
[0006] Panels are known from DE 102 24 540 A1, which are profiled
on two side edges lying opposite one another such that hook-shaped
connection elements are formed for locking in the horizontal
direction. For locking in the vertical direction, positive
engagement elements spaced apart from one another horizontally and
vertically are provided on the connection elements and undercuts
corresponding thereto are provided with respectively one
horizontally aligned locking surface. The transverse extension of
horizontally aligned locking surfaces of this type is approx. 0.05
to 1.0 mm. The dimensioning must be so small in order for the
joining of two panels to remain possible at all. However, this
inevitably means that only low, vertically directed forces can be
absorbed, so that production must be carried out with extremely low
tolerances in order to ensure that the connection does not spring
open with normal stress in the case of even slight irregularities
in the floor and/or soft subfloors.
[0007] The tongue element is embodied in one piece from the core so
that the adjustment of the tolerances of different components is
omitted and in addition it is ensured that no components are
missing with the end user.
[0008] In order to make it possible to connect the tongue element
to the core and at the same time to be able to realize an
elasticity of the elements, it is necessary to carry out milling
cuts that are not continuous, but are discontinuous. If this is
achieved in terms of milling technology, the panel must not be
moved during the milling operation, since otherwise continuous cuts
would be made with the existing high throughput speeds. A milling
operation would thus be very slow with the braking of the panel to
a halt, dipping and moving the milling unit and the subsequent
acceleration of the finished panel for further transport.
[0009] One possibility for producing corresponding millings with
tools is to mount the tools on a traversing unit that transports
the tools in the feed direction (transport direction) of the
panels. The time in which the insert millings are produced is
considerably increased thereby, whereby commercially available
motor spindles can also perform corresponding movements of the
tools in order to carry out the referenced millings.
[0010] However, the disadvantage of this production variant is, on
the one hand, the high expenditure in terms of equipment and, on
the other hand, the large space requirement, which results from the
moveability of the tools in the feed direction of the panels.
However, this additional space requirement is too large for already
existing installations, into which a further processing position is
to be integrated, and thus only useful for newly designed
installations.
[0011] Since formations of this type cannot be produced on
one-piece panels with conventional milling units in a continuous
pass, it is necessary to separate the panels to be processed and to
process them in a stationary manner. This is very time-intensive
and therefore also cost-intensive.
[0012] The production of a panel of this type is complex in
particular when a plurality of tongue elements is provided and also
a corresponding number of locking edges is to be provided to this
end in the groove, because then travelling tools must then be
provided on both side edges. In some cases there is no room for
this in conventional milling stations, so that different clampings
are necessary on different machines, which increases the production
time and requires correspondingly generous tolerances.
[0013] A method for inserting a locking groove by means of a
milling tool is known from DE 10 2005 026 554 A1, which contains a
drive, a milling head and a transmission device for transmitting
the rotation as well as a mounting for the milling head. Because of
the mounting, the milling head has a free radius on the mounting
side, which makes it possible for it to be located completely in
the part of the connection groove surrounded by groove flanks on
both sides during the insertion of the locking groove.
[0014] To solve the problem it is provided that the at least one
non-continuous slot is produced by a tool preferably guided on a
circular path such that the panel is conveyed in a transport device
under the tool, the tool dips into the core of the panel by means
of a swivel motion and is lifted out again in the opposite
direction before the panel has been completely conveyed past under
the tool.
[0015] Through this embodiment it is possible to embody the
previously rigid vertical locking means in a flexible manner and to
produce geometries that do not extend over the entire length of a
panel. The space requirement necessary is very small due to the
swivel motion of the tool, so that a convention double-ended
profiler can be used, at the end of which an additional processing
station for the production of the at least one non-continuous slot
is flange-mounted.
[0016] To expose the tongue element with respect to the core,
preferably additionally at least one essentially horizontal slot
can be provided.
[0017] Preferably several non-continuous slots are produced in that
a plurality of tools spaced apart from one another is provided in
the transport direction of the panels, which tools dip into the
core of the panel simultaneously.
[0018] A device for carrying out the method is characterized in
that at least one milling tool, a laser tool, a water-jet or
sandblasting device or a plasma arc torch is attached to a
swivel-mounted carrier, which can be actuated via a servo motor or
a telescopic cylinder.
[0019] In order to be able to produce several slots at the same
time, it is in particular advantageous if several tools are
arranged one behind the other on the carrier based on the transport
direction of the panel. It is also conceivable that the slots are
punched.
[0020] In order to keep the space requirement as small as possible,
in addition to the at least one tool, preferably the drive thereof,
which comprises a motor and a transmission, is also arranged on the
carrier. Each tool can be operated by a separate motor. However, a
motor can also be provided for the drive of several tools.
[0021] An exemplary embodiment of the method according to the
invention is described in more detail below with the aid of a
drawing. They show:
[0022] FIG. 1 The plan view of the side edge I of a panel;
[0023] FIG. 2 The plan view of the opposite side edge II of the
same panel;
[0024] FIG. 3 The view according to sight arrow III according to
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 The view of the panel according to sight arrow IV
according to FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 5 The plan view of a diagrammatically represented
profiling apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 6 The section along the line VI-VI according to FIG.
5;
[0028] FIG. 7 The bottom view of a milled panel;
[0029] FIG. 8 The representation of two panels connected to one
another of a first embodiment in section at the joint;
[0030] FIG. 9 The representation of two panels connected to one
another of a second embodiment in section at the joint;
[0031] FIG. 10 The diagrammatic plan view of a double-ended
profiler;
[0032] FIG. 11 The diagrammatic plan view of a processing
station;
[0033] FIG. 12a The section along the line XII-XII according to
FIG. 11 in the lifted position of the tool;
[0034] FIG. 12b The section along the line XII-XII according to
FIG. 11 in the lowered position of the tool;
[0035] FIG. 13a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functionless position;
[0036] FIG. 13b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functional position;
[0037] FIG. 14a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functionless position;
[0038] FIG. 14b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functional position;
[0039] FIG. 15a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functionless position;
[0040] FIG. 15b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for
moving a processing tool in the functional position.
[0041] The panels 1, 2 are embodied identically. They comprise a
core 17 of a wood material or a wood material/plastic mixture. The
panels 1, 2 are profiled on their side edges I, II lying opposite
one another, wherein the side edge I was milled from the top 18 and
the side edge II was milled from the bottom 19. The tongue element
is embodied on the side edge II, which was produced by milling free
the core 17, in that a horizontal slot 11 and a slot 10 essentially
running vertically were milled. The side edges I, II have the
length L. In the longitudinal direction of the side edge II, the
tongue element 3 is connected at its ends 3a, 3b to the core
material. The exposure of the tongue element 3 from the core 17 is
carried out exclusively through the slots 10, 11. The outer edge 3c
of the tongue element 3 is tilted at an angle .alpha. with respect
to the top 18 of the panel 2. The vertical surfaces of the side
edges I, II are machined such that contact surfaces 15, 16 are
formed in the area of the top 18.
[0042] On the side edge I lying opposite the tongue element 3, the
panel I is provided with a locking lug 22 extending essentially in
the horizontal direction H, the lower side wall of which forms a
locking edge 4 running essentially horizontally. The locking lug 22
projects laterally over the contact surface 16 of the panel 1.
Below the locking lug 22 a groove 9 is embodied, which accommodates
a part of the tongue element 3 for locking two panels 1, 2 in the
vertical direction V. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove bottom 9a of
groove 9 runs parallel to the outer edge 3c of the tongue element
3, which facilitates the production of the groove 9, but it could
also be embodied strictly in the vertical direction V or at an
angle deviating from the angle .alpha.. The locking lug 22 is short
compared to the length of the hook element 20. Between the top of
the locking lug 22 and the contact surface 16 a dust pocket 23 is
formed from the material of the core 17 on the side edge I of the
panel 1.
[0043] The locking of the two panels 1, 2 in the horizontal
direction H is carried out via the hook elements 20, 21 produced by
milling through a stepped profile and in the vertical direction V
via the tongue element 3 in connection with the locking edge 4 on
the locking lug 22. An at least partially planar top surface 12 is
embodied on the shoulder 5, extending downwards, of the hook
element 21, which top surface interacts with a contact surface 13
embodied on the hook element 20 on the opposite side edge I, which
contact surface projects back behind the projection 6. The top
surface 12 and the contact surface 13 end in the same horizontal
plane E, so that the panels 1, 2 connected to one another are
supported on one another. The surface 24 of the hook element 21
facing towards the core 17 runs tilted with respect to the vertical
and together with the correspondingly tilted surface 25 facing
towards the core 17 forms a locking edge of two connected panels 1,
2 on the shoulder. The profiling of the hook elements 20, 21 is
selected such that a preloading is produced in the joint and the
vertical contact surfaces 15, 16 of the panels 1, 2 are pressed
towards one another, so that no visible gap results on the top 18
of two panels 1, 2 connected to one another. In order to make it
easier to join the panels, 1, 2, the shoulder 6, projecting
upwards, of the hook element 20 and the shoulder 5, projecting
downwards, of the hook element 21 are beveled or blunted on their
edges. In order to simplify the production to embody the tongue
element 3, either the slots 11 running horizontally (FIGS. 2, 4) or
the slot 10 running essentially vertically (FIGS. 6, 8) can be
continuous, that is extend over the full length L of the side edge
II.
[0044] The panel 2 is connected to the panel I already lying on the
subfloor, in that the panel 2 is placed against the side edge I of
the panel 1 and lowered in the direction of the subfloor by an
essentially vertical joining connection. When the lower edge 3d of
the tongue element 3 comes into contact with the top 18 of the
panel 1, it is pressed in the direction of the core 17 with the
further joining movement due to its outer side edge 3c running at
an angle .alpha. upon contact with the contact surface 16, so that
it deflects in the direction H. The panel 2 is lowered further
downwards. Once the tongue element 3 reaches a position with
respect to the groove 9, it is springs out due to the restoring
forces inherent in the material and then snaps into the groove 9,
where it bears against the locking edge 4 with its top 3e running
essentially horizontally. At the same time, the hook elements 20,
21 engage until the top surface 12 is supported on the contact
surface 13. The panels 1, 2 are then connected and locked to one
another. The inner wall 10a of the slot 10 serves as limit of the
deflection path of the tongue element 3 in order to prevent the
connection of the tongue element 3 at its ends 3a, 3b with the core
17 from being torn out due to a dipping movement too far. The
surface, i.e., the height and the width, to which the ends 3a, 3b
are connected to the core 17, determine the spring rate of the
tongue element 3. As FIG. 2 shows, three tongue elements 3 can be
embodied over the length L of the side edge II and three locking
lugs 22 can be formed on the opposite side edge I. It is also
definitely conceivable to embody the tongue elements 3 to be
shorter and to provide five, six or even seven or more tongue
elements 3 and corresponding locking lugs 22.
[0045] When the vertical slot 10 is embodied to be narrow enough,
it is possible to keep the tongue element 3 connected to the core
17 only at one of its ends 3a or 3b. An embodiment of this type has
the advantage that the tongue element 3 can also expand in the
direction of the length L of the side edge II. The then free end 3a
or 3b is then supported on the inner wall 10a of the slot 10. FIG.
2 shows that vertical slots 10 are provided over the length L of
the panel 3. FIG. 6 shows a panel with three slots 11 running
horizontally.
[0046] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the panels 1', 2' in which the
tongue element 3 is exposed with respect to the core 17 only by one
or more vertical slots 10. In this embodiment, the tongue element
3' is provided on the hook element 20' forming a lower lip. The
locking is carried out per se analogously to the previously
described exemplary embodiment.
[0047] The locking is releasable in all of the exemplary
embodiments, in that the panels 1, 1', 2, 2' are displaced relative
to one another along the side edges I, II or in that an unlocking
pin (not shown) is inserted laterally into the joint.
[0048] The panels 1, 2 are usually provided on their top 18 with a
pattern that can be printed directly onto the top 18. The pattern
is usually covered by a wear-resistant layer, into which a
structure corresponding to the pattern can be embossed.
[0049] This type of locking described above is preferably provided
on the transverse side of panels 1, 2, which on their longitudinal
side can be connected to one another through angling in and
pivoting down onto the subfloor, as is described in DE 102 24 540
A1. However, it is also conceivable to embody this profiling on the
longitudinal sides as well as on the transverse sides, so that the
panels can be connected and locked to one another on all side edges
by a purely vertical joining movement.
[0050] The processing station according to the invention, which is
shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises a double-ended
profiler known from the prior art, such as is sold, for example, by
Homag under the name "Powerline," with processing stations
additionally flange-mounted thereto.
[0051] The double-ended profiler 30 fundamentally comprises two
profiling machines 36 that are largely identical but structured in
a mirror-inverted manner, wherein one of the profiling machines 36
is firmly anchored to the subfloor and the other is arranged on
slide rails that make it possible for it to move in the y
direction.
[0052] The profiling machines 36 in turn each comprises two parts.
A chain conveyor 31, which has a chain with chain links mounted on
roller bearings and a so-called top pressure. The top pressure
essentially comprises a flexible belt and is spring-mounted. The
chain conveyor 31 as well as the top pressure (not shown here) of
both profiling machines 36 are connected to one another with the
aid of long shafts and driven by the same motors. Both machine
parts of a profiling machine can be displaced with respect to one
another in the z direction, wherein the chain conveyor 30 located
below is connected fixedly to the subfloor in the vertical
direction. Usually, the top pressure located above is lowered to
the chain conveyor 31 until the spring-mounted belt comes into
contact with the conveyor chain of the chain conveyor 31, whereby
the panels 1, 2 to be transported are pressed onto the conveyor
chain and fixed there.
[0053] The chain conveyor 31 is fixedly connected to a machine
frame, which in addition to ducts for chip suctioning and some
electronic components also contains motor mounts with milling
motors respectively attached thereto. These motor mounts render
possible a free infeed of the motors in an established area in the
y and z direction and a rotation about the x axis when the
installation is at rest. Through these adjustment options it is
possible to adjust the side milling cutters flange-mounted to the
engines such that the panels 2 conveyed past in the transport
direction T can be machined. The motors, and thus the individual
processing stations 32, 32a, 33, 33a, 34, 34a, 35, 35a, are
arranged oppositely in pairs one behind the other in an alignment
based on the transport direction T. The milling cutters not shown
in detail here have a structure such that by covering all
essentially four to five processing stations 32, 33, 34, 35; 32a,
33a, 34a, 35a half of a commercially conventional glueless
connection profile can be produced on each side edge I, II.
[0054] In order to prevent inaccuracies or looseness in the bearing
of the chain links from being transferred to the panels 2 to be
processed, which would make an exact milling of the profiles
impossible, the profiling machines 36 have precisely defined datum
planes. In the case of these profiling machines, these datum planes
are realized in the form of so-called supports, which are firmly
fixed to the chain conveyors 36 and on the top thereof have a
polished hard metal plate 37, which represents the datum plane. The
panels 2 to be profiled slide over this plate 37 during the
processing. In order to ensure that a removal of the panels 2 from
these plates 37 does not occur, they are pressed by so-called
pressure shoes 38 onto the hard metal plate 37. The pressure shoes
38 are moved by pneumatic cylinders in the direction of the hard
metal plate 37, which renders possible a free adjustability of the
spring force to be applied.
[0055] This double-ended profiler structured in this manner and
known per se is supplemented according to the invention by a
further processing station 40 which differs fundamentally from the
processing stations described above. In the processing station 40
the construction permits a controlled movement of the milling tools
41 during the processing, whereby the production of non-continuous
slots is possible. The system of the processing station 40 is
fundamentally identical on both machine sides in principle, wherein
the installations differ, however, in that on the one machine side
the milling tools 41 can be moved dynamically essentially in the z
direction and on the other machine side the milling tools 41 can be
moved dynamically essentially in the y direction.
[0056] Several smaller milling tools 41 with a diameter of 30 to 50
mm are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T.
The number of the milling tools 41 per processing station 40
corresponds to the contours to be produced. Usually two to four
milling tools 41 are used. These milling tools 41 are
flange-mounted to an auxiliary gearbox 42 that is driven by a motor
43. The motor 43 can be firmly connected to the gearbox 42.
However, the power transmission can also be carried out flexibly
via a toothed belt or a flexible shaft. The gearbox 42 and the
milling tools 41 and optionally also the motor 43 are attached at
one end of a swivel-mounted carrier 44. The carrier 44 is
swivel-mounted via joint 45 between its end points similar to a
rocker. On the end of the carrier 44 lying opposite the milling
tools 41, a servo motor 46 is attached with a displacement spindle
47, which can move the carrier 44 and thus the milling tools 41
attached to the other end on a circular track (arrow P) around the
joint 45. A telescopic cylinder can be used instead of a servo
motor 46. Instead of a displacement spindle 47, the servo motor 46
can also interact with a radial cam, a crankshaft drive or a system
with similar mode of operation.
[0057] Alternatively, a system can be used that has only a milling
tool 41, which is attached directly to the milling motor. The motor
and milling tool 41 are firmly connected to a highly dynamic linear
motor (not shown) which, together with a balancing spring element
(not shown), renders possible very rapid movements of the motor and
milling tool 41 in the z direction or y direction. With a system of
this type, cycle times of approx. 100 to 200 panels 2 per minute
are possible, because it has higher dynamics than the system
previously described with which 50 to 100 panels 2 per minute can
be milled.
[0058] The panels 2 are fed into the double ended profiler 30. The
separation of the panels 2 inserted into a loader is thereby
carried out by the movement of the chain conveyor 31, wherein cams
(not shown) installed on individual chain links respectively draw
one panel 2 out of the loader. The respective panels 2 are moved
via the chain conveyor 31 in the transport direction T (x
direction). After a short conveyor path, each panel 2 arrives under
the top pressure belt and is pressed firmly thereby onto the chain
conveyor 31. With further conveyance of the panel 2 in the
transport direction T, this panel enters the first processing
station 32. It initially runs thereby onto the support 37 present
at each processing station 32, 33, 34, 35 and is pressed thereon by
the pressure shoe 38 likewise present. When approximately the
center of the support 37 has been reached, the milling cutter set
in rotation by a motor catches into the panel 2 and begins the
machining. The processing in the individual stations 32, 33, 34, 35
is structured such that the first milling tool 41 takes over the
rough preliminary chip removal and the breaking of the hard
decorative layer, the tool of the second station 33 and that of the
last processing station 35 mill the actual holding profile into the
panels 2, which in this case is a hook profile with rigid locking
surfaces for vertical locking.
[0059] The tool of the third processing station 34 is essentially
responsible for the production of a clean closing edge and/or for
the production of a bevel on the decorative side 18 of the panel 2.
Once the panel 2 has passed this processing station 34, it has a
complete hook profile with rigid vertical locking.
[0060] If the panel 2 runs into the processing station 40 according
to the invention additionally flange-mounted to the double ended
profiler 30, a control signal is triggered by a sensor 48 (cf. FIG.
10), which control signal activates the servo motor 46, whereby the
carrier 44 is swiveled about the joint 45 and the milling tools 41
dip from the underside 19 of the panel 2 into the core 17 and mill
in the slots 10. At the same time a number of slots 10 are
produced, which corresponds to the number of the milling tools 41
in the processing station 40. Before the panel 2 has completely
passed through the processing station 40, the carrier 44 is
swiveled back and the milling tools 41 are drawn out of the core 17
of the panel 2 so that slots 10 are produced which do not extend
over the full length L of the side edge (here the transverse
side).
[0061] The dipping of the milling tools 41 is carried out while the
panel 2 is being transported. FIG. 2 shows the intake 10b and
outlet 10c of the milling tool 41, with which the vertical slot 10
is milled. FIG. 6 shows the intake 11b and the outlet 11c of the
milling tool 41, with which the horizontal slot 11 was milled. The
intakes 10b, 11b and the outlets 10c, 11c are arched, wherein the
radius depends on the feed rate of the panel 2. FIGS. 10, 12 show a
panel 2 in which three vertical slots 10 as well as three
horizontal slots 11 with the corresponding intakes 10b, 11b and
outlets 10c. 11c.
[0062] The alternative processing system with only one milling tool
41 can likewise produce a non-continuous contour with the aid of
corresponding movement of the linear motor. However, since only one
milling tool 41 is used, this system must perform several infeed
motions accordingly to produce the same number of contours.
[0063] In order to render possible an exact movement control with
both variants, furthermore data, such as control signals of the
doubled ended profile 30 and sensor data (for example from rotary
encoders) are used to the light barriers used.
[0064] The processing station 40, with which the vertical slots 10
are produced has been described. If the horizontal slots 11 are to
be milled, the processing station 40 can be arranged at the same
location. The carrier 44 is arranged rotated by 90.degree.
accordingly so that the milling tool 41 then on a circular track
dips into the core 17 which runs tangentially to the top 18 of the
panel 2 and not to the side edge.
[0065] FIGS. 11 and 12a, 12b show a device with which respectively
one milling tool 41 of a processing station 40 can be swiveled from
an inactive position into the processing position. The motor 43 and
the transmission 42 are respectively attached to the bottom of the
carrier 44. An actuator 50 is attached by one end with a joint 51
to the housing 49 of the processing station 40 and by the other end
on a joint 52 to the carrier 44. When the actuator rod 54 is
retracted and extended the carrier 44 and thus the milling tool 41
moves around the shaft 53. To this end the carrier 44 is attached
to the shaft 53 via a bearing block 39.
[0066] FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show basic alternatives to the actuator
50 in order to bring the milling tool 41 into its operating
position. The carrier 44 on which the milling tool 41 is attached,
can be moved into a guide 62 via a cam 60 driven in a rotary
manner. The cam 60 presses the carrier 44 in the direction of the
panel 1. The restoring force is generated by the springs 61 (FIG.
13). With the principle explained in FIG. 14, the carrier 44 can be
displaced in the transport direction T as well as in a direction
perpendicular thereto, that is in the horizontal direction H or the
vertical direction V. Through the rotary motion of the crank disk
70 by means of the connecting rod 71 the displacement parallel to
the transport direction T is initiated. With this movement the
carrier 44 passes a cam 73, via which then the movement is
initiated in a direction V or H perpendicular to the transport
direction T. The carrier 44 then slides in guide 72 in the
direction of the panel 1 so that the milling tool 41 can be brought
into contact with the panel 1. In the drive principle shown in the
FIG. 15, the carrier 44 is connected to the crank disk 80 directly
so that via the crank disk 80 a movement is simultaneously
initiated in the transport direction T and in a direction V or H
that is perpendicular thereto.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
TABLE-US-00001 [0067] 1 Panel 1' Panel 2 Panel 2' Panel 3 Tongue
element 3' Tongue element 3a End 3b End 3c Outer edge 3d Lower edge
3e Top 4 Locking edge 5 Shoulder 6 Shoulder 9 Groove 9a Groove
bottom 10 Slot 10a Inner wall 10b Intake 10c Outlet 11 Slot 11b
Intake 11c Outlet 12 Top surface 13 Contact surface 14 Dust pocket
15 Vertical surface/contact surface 16 Vertical surface/contact
surface 17 Core 18 Top 19 Bottom 20 Hook element 20' Hook element
21 Hook element 22 Locking elements/locking lug 23 Dust pocket 24
Surface 30 Double ended profiler 31 Chain conveyor 32 Processing
station 32a Processing station 33 Processing station 33a Processing
station 34 Processing station 34a Processing station 35 Processing
station 35a Processing station 36 Profiling machine 37 Contact
surface/hard metal plate 38 Pressure shoe 39 Bearing hole 40
Processing station 41 Milling tool 42 Transmission 43 Motor 44
Carrier 45 Joint 46 Servo motor 47 Spindle 48 Sensor 49 Housing 50
Actuator 51 Joint 52 Joint 53 Shaft 60 Cam 61 Spring 62 Guide 70
Crank disk 71 connecting rod 72 Guide 73 Cam 80 Crank disk 81
Connecting rod E Plane E1 Plane H Horizontal direction L Length P
Circular track T Transport direction V Vertical direction I Side
edge II Side edge .alpha. Angle
* * * * *